Cole only sees trophy

Cole missed the first two months of their Premier League campaign after picking up a knee injury on tour in the United States and then suffered a stress fracture of his foot in November, sidelining him for over four months.

Now recovered and looking ahead to only his ninth start of the season, Cole said: "It's a great feeling for the team, the club - and especially for me.

"People didn't expect me to be back playing this season and I want to grasp the opportunity with both hands and come home with the pot.

"I've got a lot of respect for United, they've won the championship and they've played some good stuff. But on a personal note, for me, it's so important - everything's geared up for this moment. Every game this year has been a bonus and to play in an FA Cup final is magnificent. I can't wait."

Saturday has a special lure for Cole as the first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium, finally ready and certain to be packed to its 90,000-capacity.

"I've not seen it yet, only when it was being built, so I'm really excited," he said. "It means so much to everyone around the world but especially to an Englishman.

"I've been brought up with Wembley. I used to get on the train and walk down Wembley Way and go to all the England games and to cup finals there. "

Though the league title has gone to United and they bowed out of the Champions League semi-finals, Chelsea can still make it a trophy double after beating Arsenal in the League Cup final at Cardiff in February.

"This is every bit as important as anything we've played in this year," Cole said. "We can finish the season with two trophies and that would be a great achievement."

That view was shared by Cole's fellow wingers at their training ground south of London.

England team mate Shaun Wright-Phillips said: "I don't think anyone would see the FA Cup as a consolation prize. It's a big trophy and it speaks for itself."

Dutchman Arjen Robben, just back in training after injury, added: "It's going to be a special game - we both got knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals and we fought together for the Premiership. I wouldn't speak about revenge, it's a one-off game. But it's a big one."